Novelty device



Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM HAENDEL, OF WEST BENI), WISCONSIN.

NOVELTY DEVICE.

Application led February 23, 1926. Serial No. 89,913.

This invention relates to certain new and uesful improvements in novelty devices esspecially designed for use in window displays or in homes to take the place of the conventional Christmas tree, or to serve as a decorative device for vuse on all gala occasions. l

Itis a general object of this invention to provide a very attractive and ornamental device of the character described which will present a very pleasing and attractive appearance and which will be decorativeto suit any particular occasion such as Christmas, Easter and the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved device of the character described which is designed to be capable of being readily knocked down and stored in a small container when not in use.

And a still further object of this invention resides in an improved device of the character described which consists of rotating vanes having provision thereon for displaying decorative pictures and having lights arranged to shine thereon to thus create a highly decorative and ornamental device.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise .embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustra-ted one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof. and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention;

.Figure 2 .is a perspective view illustrating the supporting frame and rotating shaft of the device, the shaft and one standard of the frame having their sections detached illustrating the manner of collapsing the frame;

Figure 3 is a. perspective view of a container illustrating the manner of collapsing the device therein; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view illustrating the manner of hingedly connecting the vanes with the horizontal partition members, said view being taken on the line 4-4 of Figure- 1.

Referring .now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 designates the standards of a supporting frame in which the novelty device proper, indicated as at 6, is rotatably mounted on the shaft 7, the shaft being driven through the thermal influence of a series of lights 8 on a fan wheel 9l fixed thereto. Each standard 5 consists of two angular sections 10 and llhaving theirvertical ends detachably connected to form continuations of each other by a dowel pin 12 projecting vfrom the end of'one section and adapted to have a snug but detachable fit in the adjacent socketed end 13 of the other. The vertical portion of the lower sections 10 are preferably inclined outwardly, as at 14,`and consequently the horizontal portions 15 of the sections are longer than the. horizontal portions 16 of the upper sections to thus provide a firm support for the frame. The horizontal portions 15 and 16 of the sections 10 and 11 are disposed radially of the shaft 7 and'arejoined by upper and lower spider members 17 and 18, respectively, having radial extensions 19 from which dowels 20 extend to have snug engagement in the socketed ends 21 of the horizontal portions of the sections so that in this manner the parts of the frame are readily collapsibly connected to facilitate their disassembly for storage in a box or other container 22.

The shaft 7 is likewise in two sections adapted to be readily detachably connected by a. dowel pin 23 fixed to the inner end of one section and engageable in the adjacent Socketed end 24.- of the other. The lower end 25 of the shaft is journaled in a thrust bearing 26 carried by the spider 17, the upper portion of the shaft is journaled in a bearing 27 in the spider 18.

Fixed on the shaft 7 adjacent its lower end is a flange or collar 28 which forms a rest or support for a horizontal partition or shelf member 29 adapted to be carried by the shaft in its rotation. The partition or shelf member 29 has a plurality of radially extending raised portions 30 formed therein which cooperate with the lower portions 31 of vertical vane members 32 to hingedly connect the vane and partition members, as at 33. The vanes 32 are movable to and from a vert-ical position, as illustrated in Figure l, and extend inwardly toward the shaft 7 to a point spaced therefrom.A Hinged, as at 34, to the inner end of each vane is a flap 35 which is of a height equal to that of the vane and of a width to extend to the inner edge of the next adjacent vane. Each flap 35 has a tit 36 on its bottom or lower edge adjacent its outer free end for engagement in a recess 37 in the partition member 29 to secure the flap in its operative position, illustrated in Figure l.

As before described, the partition or shelf member 29 is carried by the shaft 7 and the vanes and flaps are secured in their operative positions, a second partition or shelf meniber 29 is then placed over the first one and cooperates with the tits 36 engageable in the recesses 37 to maintain the vanes and flaps in their proper positions. As the construction of this second partition or shelf member is identical with that of the other, the description for one will suiiice for all.

As many partitions or shelf members may be employed as the size of the frame 5 will accommodate and after the members 29 have been placed on the shaft, the upper sectional part of the frame is assembled. A stationary shelf member 38 is then placed over the frame 5, resting on the upper horizontal portions 16 thereof and the upper section of the shaft 7 is secured in position with the fan wheel 9 spaced with respect to the shelf 38.

rIhe lights 8 are mounted on the shelf 38 and, in the present instance, are illustrated as of the electric type suitably connected with a common feed wire 39. As will be readily apparent the heat generated by the lights cause the fan wheel 9 to rotate carrying with it the shaft 7 and the partition members 29. The fan wheel 9 is fixed toa collar member 40 adjustable, as at 4l, on the l shaft and the closer the fan wheel is secured to the lights, the greater the speed of rotation. The vanes 32 and flaps 35 may be covered with suitable caricatures or other decorative matter, as illustrated in Figure l, and the rotation of the device imparts a very attractive and pleasing appearance.

In order to add to the attractiveness of the device, suitable lights 42 may be supported from the standards of the frame by means of detachable clip members 43. The lights 4t2 may be either candles or electric lights and when the latter are employed they are connected by suitable feed wires 44C.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which an invention of this character appertains that I have provided a very neat and novel display device which is very pleasing to the eye and can be used for all occasions by changing the characters 011 the vanes and flaps and one which may be readily collapsed and placed within a comparatively small container for storage.

vWhat I claim as my invention is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising a supporting frame, a shaft, a plurality of spaced horizontal. members carried by the shaft, a plurality of vane members mounted between the horizontal members and adapted 'to carryfdecorative Vmatter, a stationary member at the frame upper end, a fan wheel fixed to the shaft above the stationary member, heat producing means carried by the stationary member and influencing the fan wheel to rotate the shaft and the members carried thereby, and means permitting the ready collapsing of the device.

2. In av device of the character described, a cage like frame including upper and lower axially aligned spider members and standards connecting the spider members and having their ends directed inwardly, a shaft axially journaled in the spiders, a plurality of horizontal and vertical members carried by the shaft within the frame and having ornamental illustrations thereon, a fan wheel fixed to the shaft above the frame, and heat producing means adapted to rotate the fan and with it the shaft.

In a device of the character described, a cage like frame including upper and lower axially aligned spider members, standards connecting the spider members and having their ends directed inwardly and means detachably connecting the spiders and standards of the frame whereby the device may be collapsed, a shaft axially journaled in the spi-ders, a plurality of horizontal and vertical members carried by the shaft within the frame and having ornamental illustrations thereon, a fan wheel mounted on the shaft above the frame, and heat producing means adapted to rotate the fan wheel and with it the shaft.

4. In a device of the character described, a cage like frame including upper and lower axially aligned spider members, standards connecting the spider members and having their ends directed inwardly and means detachably connecting the spiders kand standards of the frame whereby the device may be collapsed, a shaft axially journaled in the spiders, a plurality of horizontal partition members superimposed on the shaft in spaced relation, radial vane members collapsibly carried by the partition members and adapted to be ornamented, a fan wheel mounted on the shaft above the frame, and heat producing means adapted to influence the fan wheel to rotate the same and with it the shaft.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, a fan fixed to the upper end of the shaft, heat producing means mounted below thev fan and having an influence thereon whereby rotation of the fan and shaft is affected, a horizontal member mounted on the shaft, and a vertical vane hingedly connected to said member whereby the vane may be collapsed to lie substantially parallel with said member.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a frame, al shaft journaled in the frame, a fan fixed to the upper end of the shaft, heat producing means mounted below the fan and having an influence thereon where? by rotation of the fan and shaft is affected, a member mounted on the shaft, a vertical vane hingedly connected with said member, and an auxiliary vertical vane hinged to one vertical edge of the first mentioned vane whereby both of the vanes may be collapsed to lie substantially parallel with said member. v

7. A device of the character described, comprising a frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, a fan fixed to the upper end of the shaft, heat producing means mounted below the fan and having an influence thereon whereby rotation of the fan and shaft is affected, a plurality of spaced shelf members carried by the shaft, vertical vanes normally positioned between the shelf members, and means whereby the vertical vanes may be collapsed to lie substantially parallel with the shelf members.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, a fan fixed to the upper end of the shaft, heat producing means mounted below the fan and havingan influence thereonthe shaft by the vane members of the firsty shelf member.

9. A device of the character described, comprisin a frame having an upper and a lower section, a shaft journaled in the upper and lower frame sections, a fan fixed to the upper end of the shaft, a shelf member carried by the upper part of the frame, heat producing means mounted on the shelf member below the fan and having an influence thereon whereby rotation of the fan and the shaft is affected, a horizontal member fixed to the lower end of theshaft, a plurality of vanes hingedly connected with the horizontal member'and adapted to be swung to vertical position, an auxiliary vane hinged to each first mentioned vane at its inner vertical edge and adapted to hold the first mentioned vane connected therewith in vertical position, and a second horizontal member supported by the vanes of the first horizontal member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.`

WILLIAM HAENDEL. 

